Assata

an autobiography

Paperback, 274 pages

English language

Published Sept. 11, 2001 by L. Hill Books.

ISBN:
978-1-55652-074-7
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5 stars (1 review)

On May 2, 1973, Black Panther Assata Shakur (aka JoAnne Chesimard) lay in a hospital, close to death, handcuffed to her bed, while local, state, and federal police attempted to question her about the shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that had claimed the life of a white state trooper. Long a target of J. Edgar Hoover's campaign to defame, infiltrate, and criminalize Black nationalist organizations and their leaders, Shakur was incarcerated for four years prior to her conviction on flimsy evidence in 1977 as an accomplice to murder.

This intensely personal and political autobiography belies the fearsome image of JoAnne Chesimard long projected by the media and the state. With wit and candor, Assata Shakur recounts the experiences that led her to a life of activism and portrays the strengths, weaknesses, and eventual demise of Black and White revolutionary groups at the hand of government officials. The result is …

4 editions

Exhillerating and necessary!

5 stars

I am so glad my friend gave me this book to read. This book is so necessary for anyone involved in political organizing, community organizing, mutual aid, etc. There are so many lessons pertaining to the COINTPRO campaign against Assata and other Black revolutionaries. Her message is poignant and so optimistic, but also so grounded in a scientific and material understanding of our world.

Subjects

  • Shakur, Assata.
  • Black Panther Party -- Biography.
  • African Americans -- Biography.
  • Black nationalism -- United States.
  • Racism -- United States.
  • United States -- Race relations.

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